Fun Berylline Hummingbird Facts For Kids
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The berylline hummingbird (Amazilia beryllina) is a non-migratory hummingbird that has been regrouped under the monophyletic genus Saucerottia. A further division into five subspecies has been made which include Amazilia beryllina beryllina, Amazilia beryllina viola, Amazilia beryllina devillei, Amazilia beryllina sumichrasti, and Amazilia beryllina lichtensteini.
Food plays a vital role in the lives of all hummingbird species. This species displays aggressive behavior and territorial instincts. Dominance and hierarchy are perceived around nectar-bearing flowers and feeders.
Body size is directly related to hierarchical dominance. According to research, an assemblage of hummingbirds has been noticed in the temperate forests of central Mexico. Also, they populate areas containing bird feeders.
Hummingbirds can flap their wings so fast that they generate a humming sound, which is why they are called a hummingbird. Curiously, the berylline hummingbird derived its name from its iridescent green body color that coincides with the lustrous sea green color of the gem beryl. The term 'berylline' translates to 'like a beryl'.
If you enjoyed this content, don't forget to check out some more fun facts about the magnificent hummingbird and oasis hummingbird.
Berylline Hummingbird Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a berylline hummingbird?
The berylline hummingbird (Amazilia beryllina) is a species of bird.
What class of animal does a berylline hummingbird belong to?
The berylline hummingbird belongs to the class Aves, genus Saucerottia.
How many berylline hummingbirds are there in the world?
The accurate number of this species has not yet been recorded. However, they are plentiful in their range of habitat and since no major threats have been identified, the population trend of these birds is stable.
Where does a berylline hummingbird live?
The berylline hummingbird habitat encompasses Guatemala, Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and several places in the United States. In the US, the species primarily inhabits New Mexico, southeastern Arizona, and Texas.
The subspecies Amazilia beryllina lichtensteini and Amazilia beryllina sumichrasti are found in southern Mexico, Amazilia beryllina beryllina can be traced to central Mexico, and Amazilia beryllina devillei are found in Guatemala, El Salvador, and central Honduras. Last but not least, the Amazilia beryllina viola can be found in western and northwestern Mexico.
In southeastern Arizona, it is one of the rarest sights to catch a glimpse of the berylline hummingbird. Arizona accounts for only two other species of hummingbirds. These birds were sighted in the Cochise Canyon, Davis Mountains, and the Chisos Mountains in Texas. They are also frequent visitors to the mountains of Mexico.
What is a berylline hummingbird's habitat?
The hummingbird ecosystem refers to the habitat or environment that these birds require to survive. The preferred habitat of these birds includes canyon thickets, oak and pine trees, and temperate and deciduous forests.
The contributions of these birds to the ecosystem is also of importance. They serve as excellent pollinators by dispersing pollen grains that stick to their feet while they feed on nectar.
Who do berylline hummingbirds live with?
Berylline hummingbirds live a solitary life as they prefer to remain aloof from other members of the species. These birds do not even stick to their partners after breeding and can hardly be found in pairs or flocks.
How long does a berylline hummingbird live?
Generally, hummingbirds live for about three to five years in the wild. In captivity, the life expectancy can go up to 14 years. It can be anticipated that the lifespan of a wild berylline hummingbird would not exceed the 12 years threshold.
How do they reproduce?
The breeding period of this species extends from June to October, with September being the peak season. During this time, they can be found in southeastern Arizona.
A male forms an aerial u-shaped structure in flight to attract a female. A male bird doesn't engage in forming pairs, and they immediately fly off post-copulation. Both genders engage in sexual activities with multiple partners.
The females construct a nest for raising the young and nesting sites are usually close to the ground with a maximum elevation of 49.2 ft (15 m). A nest is constructed in shrubs as well as trees like oak and pine, while in Arizona, sycamore trees have also been used for nesting.
Nesting materials comprise plant fibers, cotton, and grass, and the nest is cup-shaped. These materials are tightly held together with spider webs, while the outer borders are beautified with lichens. While the male remains uninvolved, the female members engage in incubation, caring for, and feeding the chicks after hatching. Fledging occurs after 20 days.
What is their conservation status?
The conservation status of the berylline hummingbird (Amazilia beryllina) according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, is currently of Least Concern. Since these birds are ample within their geographical range, they fail to qualify as a vulnerable species.
Berylline Hummingbird Fun Facts
What do berylline hummingbirds look like?
The iridescent green berylline hummingbird has a moderate size with a tail shaped like a fan, head colored turquoise-green, rusty gray belly, and pointed, slender bill. Their wings and tail have a dark shade of rufous while the bill is dark red.
How cute are they?
Any bird lover will love this hummingbird species because of its flamboyant shades! A female hummingbird feeding its chicks in its nest is the most adorable sight.
How do they communicate?
These birds vocalize with an array of high-pitched to buzzing and lisping sounds such as 'drrzzzt' or 'dzzzzir', 'sssi-ir sssiir chit-chit chit-chit-chit', 'ssi kirr-i-rr kirr-i-rr', 'sirrr, ki-ti ki-dik', or a repetition of 'jer'eek' r-eek'. They articulate several calls that can be identified as alarm calls, mating calls. or flight calls.
How big is a berylline hummingbird?
These medium-sized birds stand at an approximate length of about 3-4.3 in (8-11 cm). Bee hummingbirds have a length of about 2.1-2.4 in (5.5-6.1 cm) and rufous hummingbirds stand at around 2.8-3.6 in (7.3-9.1 cm) which are comparatively smaller.
How fast can a berylline hummingbird move?
Although the speed range of this species remains unknown, hummingbirds are extremely agile and fly at a maximum speed of 34 mph (48 kph).
How much does a berylline hummingbird weigh?
The average weight of a medium-sized berylline hummingbird is in the range of 0.14-0.18 oz (4-5 g).
What are the male and female names of the species?
Similar to all other bird species, males are commonly termed cocks, while females are called hens.
What would you call a baby berylline hummingbird?
Although the short and cute name chick is used for a baby berylline hummingbird, a baby bird is also called a hatchling or nestling.
What do they eat?
The primary diet of berylline hummingbirds comprises nectar from a variety of flowers with high fructose, glucose, and sucrose content. These birds derive nectar from flowers with their long needle-like bill.
Since a female feeds its hatchlings, the diet also includes small insects for protein requirements. These birds are known to steal insects entangled in spider webs. They also feed on nectar feeders.
Are they dangerous?
Hummingbirds portray violent behavior when it comes to protecting their territory from intruders, but they are not at all dangerous towards humans. In fact, you might commonly come across one as it feeds from bird feeders installed in your garden. Hummingbirds are territorial and aggressive, and there is a hierarchy in this species.
Would they make a good pet?
Hummingbirds can't survive in confinement, so they must not be caged.
Did you know...
A broad-tailed hummingbird is believed to be the oldest among all hummingbird species. A female bird residing in Colorado lived for about 12 years, according to records in 1987, after which it couldn't be retraced by the scientists. On the other hand, among the ruby-throated hummingbirds, the bird with the longest lifespan lived for six years two months.
Fmale hummingbirds build unique nests by weaving weave plant fibers and using cobwebs to secure the nest.
How are berylline hummingbirds different from other hummingbirds?
The berylline hummingbird (Amazilia beryllina) has a few differences from other hummingbirds. For instance, the species has a forked tail, whereas Anna's hummingbird has a rounded tail. The former possesses a turquoise-green crown, while the latter is characterized by a rosy red crown. Anna's hummingbird is found in the forests and grasslands of California.
What is a berylline hummingbird's wingspan?
These birds have pointed wings with a wingspan of 5.25 in (13 cm).
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our limpkin facts and common snipe facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable berylline hummingbird coloring pages.
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